20 million _{(reasons to go)}

 

China stands at a rare place in it's history;  at the forefront of modernity, but with one foot in the past.   China has come a long way in recent decades to become one of the world's key economic and political engines.  But with all that said, there still exists a vast rift between it's have's and have-not's.  UNICEF estimates that there are over 20 million orphaned children in China. 

Forever Families works with government run Social Welfare Institutes (SWI) to help bring love and assistance to some of those 20 million children without families.  Although the SWI's do all that they can to provide the best life for the children living there, assistance and help is still needed.  Our missions teams don't go in with an agenda, they go in to serve and to love.  Our trips offer the opportunity to be Christ’s loving hands.   We will spend time holding, rocking and cuddling the babies who are starving for one on one attention.  We will play games, do crafts, and teach English with pre-school age children.  These children need to know what its like to receive love, laughter and hope.  It will truly be a life-changing and unforgettable experience

Jarrett and the hospital visit.

Ok all, here is the CNN version of the events.

First let me say that he looks to be recovering well and should be home tomorrow night. With that said . . .

Jarrett woke up last night with stomach pain. I stayed up with him and he puked 4 times. Passed out but still in pain. Thought it was appendix so took him to urgent care to make sure. Sent us to the Hospital. At this point I had not slept in 30 hours SO Amy took over.

She took him to the hospital. They took a few minutes to look at him and declared it was his appendix and scheduled surgery. They ran some test to confirm including a CT. This test showed that he did not have issues with his appendix but that his bowels were blocked. Odd but true. They scheduled him for surgery and decided that they would yank the appendix too (I asked them to take out all the out the oher useless parts too but theytold me no).

So with in 12 hours Jarrett went from fine to surgery. Wow, if you think about it, that is very scary.

I arrived at the hospital with a few (two ish) under my belt. We took him to pre-op and from there it happened real quick. At this point we are about 15 hours in to this ordeal. The DR was very nice and the crazy thing is, she had a child adopted from Russia.

About 1.5 hours later she comes out and tells us that he is fine and that he would be home in about 24 hours. Here is what happened. His intestines folded over on themselves. Nearest I can explain is that one section tried to turn inside out. The DR scoped it and used the scope to pull out the fold. (oh and they took pictures that they gave us. So we have some really gross pictures of the inside of his belly.

She did not have to remove any of the intestines. It was actually nothing they expected. They told us the top 4 things it could be and this was not one of them. Don't ask me the real name of it yet as I will not be able to say it, spell it or to be honest care about it. I am just happy he is asleep. I will get that info out in the next note.

A virus. That is right, a virus caused this. He has been asleep for about 3 hours now. I am siting int he corner of his room, in the dark, watching my little boy sleep. Amy has gone home and I get the night shift.

Time for me to shut off my phone and try to get a bit of sleep.

Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers. This is just one more example of God's love. If Lil Jarrett was not adopted this may very well have killed him.

India Day 1 - The Taj

Well I arrived very late (or early) today.  2:30 am and guess what.  Lost luggage.  ARG.  Air France and I have an agreement.  I give them money and they loose my bags.  As I write this I am int he same clothes I have been i n for the last 36 hours.  Sounds gross but I amyour typical boy and do not really care. 

Went to the Taj Mahal just north of New Delhi today.  4 hours by car to get there.  I took a good nap on the way.  We walked around and to be honest it was very cool.  you know aht my relationship with this country is rockey to say the least.  I used to say that I hate this place.  It is dirty, stinky, gross and HOT..   The more time I send here the more I think I can not hate this place.

30% are Christians.  This means that 70% are unchurched.  They need the hope and love of our Lord.  I have read mush over the last few days of Christian missionaries being marytered here.  Is it worth it?   Of course.  It is easier to die for Christ then to live for him. 

Anyway, back to the Taj.  After the 4 hour ride to get there the place was not as packed as I thought it would be.  For the most part, we were able to really enjoy our time.  It is made from marble nad red stone and is truly one of the man made marvels of the world. 

After the 4 hour drive back to New Delhi I am exhausted.  Time for a bit of nite nite.

Check uot the cow which is sacred but they let him/her eat the garbage (which there is alot of here)

Test